Electric switch



y 18, 1937. A. GUINQSSO 2,080,817

ELECTRIC SWI-TCH Filed May 20} 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3m entor A L ovs/us Gum/055 o May 18, 1937; A SSQ 2,080,817

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 20, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 3 4L0 vs/us Gum 0550 3nventor Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Aloysius Guinosso, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 20, 1936, Serial No. 80,663

4 Claims. (01. 20067) This invention relates to electric switches, and is concerned primarily with a novel type of switch intended to be used in conjunction with electric lights and similar household circuits.

From the very nature of use to which switches of this type are to be put, it is a characteristic requirement that the switch mechanism be mounted in a recess in a wall or similar structure, and with an operating part disposed in an accessible position so that it may be availed of for the purpose of turning the switch on or off.

Due to the need for providing a finished appearance in rooms and like places where the switches are put in service, it has become a standardized practice to cover the switch mechanism and recess in which it is mounted with a face plate through which the switch operating mechanism projects.

In the copending application of Guinosso, Serial No. 77,191, filed April 30, 1936, there is illustrated and described certain switch mechanism which provides for eifectively covering the switch mechanism and wall recess, and the switch mechanism of the present invention is intended to carry out these same general requirements as to providing a large-sized face plate to adequately protect the edges of the wall about the opening.

The present invention has in view, as an important objective, the provision of a switch mechanism of the character above noted, which includes a pivotally mounted operating member which is disposed in accessible position on the exterior of the face plate, and which member is adapted to be successively operated to turn the switch on or off, as the case may be, depending upon the previous condition of the switch.

A more detailed object of the present invention is to provide, in conjunction with a switch operating part of the type above noted, spring means for returning the operating part to its original position after each operation thereof.

With this arrangement the operating part is designed to constitute a part of a pictorial representation, which may be set forth on the face plate of the switch, and after each operation thereof, the operating part will be returned to its normal position.

In view of the fact that the present switch is characterized by being turned on or off upon identical operating movements of the operating part, particular features and advantages of the present invention are associated with the provision of novel mechanism for insuring of a proper and effective break or make of the circuit.

The invention, therefore, comprises an electric switch which includes novel mechanism for making and breaking the circuit, and which is adapted to be mounted in the recess of a wall, together with a face plate which covers the recess and mechanism contained therein, and through which projects an operating part with which is associated suitable means for normally maintaining the operating part in a certain predetermined position.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View from the front of an electric switch embodying the precepts of this invention; in this view only the face plate, together with the operating part, are shown,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the switch mechanism as mounted in a recess in a wall,

Figure 3 is a detailed view in perspective of the plate which carries the operating part,

Figure 4 is a front View of the plate shown in Figure 3, together with certain of the mechanism carried thereby,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of one element of the switch mechanism,

Figure 6 is a side view of certain portions of the mechanism,

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of the cam actuating member,

Figure 8 is a side elevational view, bringing out the operation of the contact bridging member, V

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the contacting member per se,

Figure 10 is an end elevational showing of the contact assembly and the bridge associated therewith,

Figure 11 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a plan view of the mechanism of an appropriate plaster composition. The wall I0 is formed with a recess II which is enlarged at l2 on the front face l3 of the wall ID, the enlarged portion of the recess |2 being connected to the main body portion thereof by a shoulder designated I4.

The switch mechanism of this invention is intended to be mounted in the recess 1 and on the shoulder l4 in a manner to be hereinafter described, and this mechanism, as well as the enlarged recess |2, are intended to be covered by a face plate designated i5. This face plate |5 may be formed with a peripheral flange i 6 to maintain the same slightly upraised from the face I3 of the wall l0, and the face plate l5 may be held in position in the wall in any approved manner, such as by the screw fastening elements indicated at IT.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, the face plate i5 is shown as formed with an arcuate slot l8 through which projects an operating member 9. As shown in Figure 1, the face plate I5 carries a pictorial representation of a knight in armor, and, to the end of furthering this pictorial representation, the operating part I9 is also constituted a part of the picture in that it takes the form of a spear which is carried by the knight. In accordance with this invention, the spear I9 is depressed to either turn the switch on or off, as the case may be, and as will be hereinafter pointed out.

A housing is shown at 20 as contained in the recess H, and formed with flanges on the top and bottom designated 2|, which engage the shoulder l4. A supporting plate 22 is positioned over the flanges 2| and suitable fastening elements, such as screws 23, pass through thesupporting plate 22 and flanges 2|, to maintain the housing 25 and supporting plate 22 in position.

Extending outwardly from the upper portion of the supporting plate 22 is a pivot pin 24 which constitutes the pivotal mounting for the operating member l9. As shown in Figure 3, that portion of the operating member which is positioned beneath the face plate I5 is offset from the main portion l9, and is designated 25, the portions 25 and I9 being connected by a part 26 which extends through the arcuate slot IS.

'The supporting plate 22 is cut away In the central portion to provide an opening 21, and is also formed with a supporting bracket 28 that extends substantially in a perpendicular direction from the supporting plate 22. A second guiding and supporting bracket 29 is also formed integrally with the base plate 22, and extends forwardly thereof.

Referring now more particularly to Figure '7, a cam actuating element is shown in the form of a U-shaped member 35 which is formed with a long leg 3| and a short leg 32, the two being spaced apart so as to receive therebetween the supporting guiding plate 29. The long leg 3| is formed with slots 33 through which extend headed pins 34 so as to provide for sliding movement of the member 3|). The short leg 32 at its lower end is turned back on itself and formed with a pointed cam 35.

The cam actuating member 30 is connected to one end of the lever 25, as indicated at 36. A coil spring 31 is connected to the U-shaped member 3 at 38, and at its lower end to an anchoring pin 39 which is carried by an upstanding bracket 40 which is connected to the supporting member 23 by a foot portion 4|.

Adjacent to its upper extremity the upstanding bracket 40 carries a pivot pin 42 on which is mounted a bell crank, referred to generally as 43. The bell brank 43 is formed with a substantially vertically disposed arm 44 and a horizontal arm 45. The arm 44 of the bell crank 43 is formed with an arcuate slot 45 in which is disposed a pin 41 that is carried by an arm 48 (see Figures 5 and 6) that is also pivotally mounted on the pin 2.

Intermediate its extremities the arm 48 carries a projection 49 which outstands therefrom, and which is formed with an opening through which extends a hair spring 50. The spring 50 is coiled about the anchoring pin 39, as indicated at 5|, and extends to a point where it is connected to a lever arm 52 formed as a part of the bridge carrying member, referred to generally as 53. As shown in the drawings, the lever arm 52 is formed with a slot 54 which receives one extremity of the hair spring 55.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 8 and 9, the foot portion 4| of the bracket 40 has connected at its rear end a contact-carrying member 55 which carries the contacts designated 56 and 51. The foot portion 4| is also formed with an upstanding ear 9 to which is pivotally mounted, as indicated at 8, the bridge-carrying member 53.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 10 and 11, a bridge is shown at 58 as being of a bowed construction, and, preferably, of a resilient material, and having contacts 59 and 60 adapted to engage the contacts 56 and 51, respectively. The bridge 58 is carried by an arm 6| formed as a part of the bridge-carrying member 53, and upon pivotal movement of this member 53, the bridge member will be moved into or out of engagement with the contacts 55 and 51, respectively.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 12 and 13, a pair of coiled springs designated 62 are shown as connected at 53 to the turned-out extremities of the arm 5|, these turned-over ends being designated 54. The springs 63 extend forwardly to the anchoring pin 39 to which they are connected. A yoke shown in Figure 13 and designated 55 is connected to the arm 45 of the bell crank 43 by the link shown at 66. This yoke 65 has legs 68, each of which has its lower extremity curled about one of the coiled springs 62, as shown at 61.

It is notable that the coiled springs 62 are adapted to be positioned on one side or the other of dead center, as defined by the pivotal mounting 8 of the member 53, and these springs are effective to either snap the bridge 58 away from the contact switches 55 and 51, as when the springs are moved above dead center, and to snap the bridge into the contacts when the springs are below dead center.

The operation of the above described switch mechanism may be briefly outlined by noting that with the mechanism in the position shown in Figure 2, the bridge 58 is upraised from the contacts 56 and 51, and in this position the pin 41 is at the left hand extremity of the arcuate slot 46. A person desirous of closing the circuit, such as for the purpose of turning on the electric lights, will move the operating member l9 downwardly. This downward movement causes an upward movement of the lever 25, which is connected to the cam member 3. Accordingly, the cam member 30 is moved upwardly against the influence of the spring 31 and engagement of the pointed cam 35 with the pin 41 causes a rocking of the bell crank 43 so that the arm 45 thereof is moved downwardly. This downward movement is imparted to the yoke 65, whereby the coiled springs 62 are moved below dead center, as defined by the pivotal mounting 8.

As dead center is passed, the springs 62 snap the arm SI of the member 63 downwardly, causing the contacts 59 and 6!] of the bridge 58 to engage the contacts 55 and 51 to complete thecircuit. At the same time that the arm 6| is moved downwardly, the lever arm 52 is moved upwardly so as to aiiect the hair spring 50. Tension will now be exerted on the latter, tending to move the pin 4! to the opposite extremity of the arcuate slot 46. When the lever I9 is released, the spring 31 will cause the same to return to its normal upraised position, at the same time that the pointed cam 35 is disengaged from the pin 41. The latter is now free to move to the other extremity of the arcuate slot under the influence of the hair spring 50.

When the circuit is to be broken, the operating member 18 will again be depressed, causing a similar upward movement of the pointed cam 35. However, the opposite surface of the cam 35 is now engaged by the pin 47 to cause a rocking of the bell crank 43 in an opposite direction.

The arm 45 is now moved upward, causing a corresponding upward movement of the coiled springs 62 to snap the bridge out of engagement with the contacts 56 and 51, and again, affect the hair spring 59 to return the pin 4! to the left hand extremity of the slot 45.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is herein set forth, it is to be clearly understood that I am not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice, within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric switch of the character described comprising a supporting member, an operating member pivotally carried by the supporting member, a bell crank pivotally mounted on the supporting member and formed with an arcuate slot, a pin movable in said slot, a pointed cam operatively connected to said pivotally mounted op erating member and adapted to engage said pin on opposite sides, spaced contacts, a bridge adapted to engage said contacts to complete a circuit, said bridge being carried by a member which is operatively connected to the bell crank, and mechanical means for moving the pin from one end of the arcuate slot to the other incident to each operative movement of the said operating member.

2. An electric switch of the character described comprising a supporting member, an operating member pivotally carried by the supporting member, a bell crank pivotally mounted on the supporting member and formed with an arcuate slot, a pin movable in said slot, a pointed cam operatively connected to said pivotally mounted operating member and adapted to engage said pin on opposite sides, spaced contacts, a bridge adapted to engage said contacts to complete a circuit, said bridge being carried by a member which is operatively connected to the bell crank, a pivoted arm carrying the pin in the arcuate slot, and a spring connected to said arm and to the said bridge-carrying member whereby the pin is moved from one end of the arcuate slot to the other upon each successive operation of the operating member.

3. An electric switch of the character described comprising a supporting member, spaced contacts carried by the supporting member, a carrying member pivotally mounted on the supporting member and having an arm extending from each side of the pivotal mounting, a bridge carried by one of said arms and adapted to. engage the spaced contacts, coiled springs anchored at one end to said carrier member and at the other end to the supporting member, said coiled springs being adapted to assume positions on either side of dead center as defined by the pivotal mounting of the carrier member, a bellcrankpivotallymounted on the supporting member, connections between one arm of the bell crank and the coiled springs, the other arm of the bell crank being formed with an arcuate slot, a pin movable in said arcuate slot and carried by a pivotally mounted arm, a spring connected at one end ,to said last mentioned arm and at the other end'to the arm of the carrier member which is remote from the bridge, a pointed cam adapted to engage said pin at either side to cause rocking of the bell crank, and means for actuating said pointed cam.

4. An electric switch of the character described comprising a supporting member, spaced contacts carried by the supporting member, a carrying member pivotally mounted on the supporting member and having an arm extending from each side of the pivotal mounting, a bridge carried by one of said arms and adapted to engage the spaced contacts, coiled springs anchored at one end to said carrier member and at the other end to the supporting member, said coiled springs being adapted to assume positions on either side of dead center as defined by the pivotal mounting of the carrier member, a bell crank pivotally mounted on the supporting member, connections between one arm of the bell crank and the coiled springs, the other arm of the bell crank being formed with an arcuate slot, a pin movable in said arcuate slot and carried by a pivotally mounted arm, a spring connected at one end to said last mentioned arm and at the other end to the arm of the carrier member which is remote from the bridge, a pointed cam adapted to engage said pin at either side to cause rocking of the bell crank, a guide plate carried by the supporting member, said guide plate carrying the pointed cam, spring means normally maintaining said pointed cam in position out of engagement with the said pin, and an operating member for moving the pointed cam into engagement with the said cam against the influence of the last mentioned spring.

ALOYSIUS GU'INOSSO. 

